Thursday, June 30, 2011

I know, I know - it's not exact, but the colors and the silhouette are. The vintage scarf is courtesy of my homegirl Natty Lite.

This is a short and sweet post today, but I thought I'd share three of my favorite cheap things:

Faded Glory tanks from Wal Fart. Yes, I said Wal Fart. And Faded Glory. I can't help it. I have tried tanks from Old Navy, Target, and random other places, and the Faded Glory ones are my faves. It doesn't hurt that they aren't even $4 each. I like the length, the thickness (I swear, I AM talking about tanks here and not something else, you pervy wankers). I have them in a variety of colors. I think the tanks from Target are too thin, and the tanks from Old Navy shrink up too much. These are juuuust right.

What else did I score on my recent visit to The Fart?

L'oreal Carbon Black Liquid Liner: Love. This. Stuff. I have been wanting a liquid liner, and came across this one, and I really like L'oreal products. It seems to dry instantly, and unless my contacts are acting up and my eyes are watering all over the damn place, the liner stays put. What ELSE do you love, Shannan?

L'oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black. Again with the Carbon Black. I had never heard of it, but I HAVE used Voluminous in the past, and it is definitely my favorite drugstore brand mascara by a long shot. This product also seems to dry very quickly, which is good.

What are YOUR favorite el cheapo items?﻿ Come onnn, you KNOW you want to tell...

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I have had the July Lucky Magazine sitting on my dresser ever since I got it, and in particular, the article on Color Outside the Border, with the following fabulous boho-chic inspiration.

I ellll-ohhh-veee-eee the colors and patterns and basically everything about this photo shoot.

Couple this with the fact that I have been jonesing for a pair of red skinnies, and well, I wouldn't kick any of these ensembles out of bed for eating crackers.

Here's my take on the above...

Not quite as colorful, but I still think it's a pretty damn good representation.

I think I may try to tie dye the tee that I'm wearing. I've only had a few packages of RIT Dye sitting on the floor behind my dresser for about 6 months. Imma dork like that. I decide to do a crafty project and then get skurred that I'm going to ruin it, so I procrastinate for like, a year before I bite the bullet.

And it's only, like, an $8 shirt from Target, so it's not like I would potentially be ruining a $100 tee, right?

That's it. I'm going to do it this weekend. Maybe even tomorrow. I'm crazy like dat.

Of course, my last experience with tie dye was in the third grade, when we made our shirts for the dance program that we put on at the mall. I believe it was a square dance routine. In orange tie dye, because our school colors were orange and black. Our mascot? THE HOOTERS.Yup. We were the Fleetridge Owls, but went by the Hooters. Ahhhh the good old days.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I told you that you were going to get sick of this vest. I meant it. Surrsly - I love that thing like a fat kid loves cake. I also love my new black maxi dress from TEAR-get.

Ya know what else I love? This video from So You Think You Can Dance a few weeks ago. I've been meaning to post it, and since last week's episode was a snoozer in my opinion, I figured it was time to add it:

I mean. For real? The control they have is amazing. When he does the slow cartwheel? And then when the lights come up and the music revs up and they start moving faster? It gives me chills every time I watch it.

And while we're talking about things I love, I'm just putting you on notice that since SYTYCD started up again, we're officially on Cat Watch 2011. Here's one of my favorites that she has worn thus far. It's vintage. It's delicious. Double Duh.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Two things: Last weekend I made The Hubs his birfday dinner: this herb-crusted rack of lamb (yes, I know the recipe is herb-crusted pork loin, which is also good, but we prefer it on rack of lamb). It's the one recipe I go to when I need to make a dinner to impress, with roasted potatoes and our current favorite salad: arugula with strawberries, goat cheese, onion straws and a champagne vinaigrette. I also made the Biggest Damn Birthday Cake EVER. It's a Chocolate Stout Cake made with Guinness, recipe courtesy of a lovely MBB reader - thank you Shannon!, and a chocolate fudge frosting courtesy of Google. The original recipe calls for a chocolate ganache, but I wanted something more fudgey frosting-y. Made the cake the day before and left in the fridge, and it was a dense, fudge cake. SOOOO good.

The only thing I did wrong with the frosting, when making it, was this. I didn't make enough the first time, and had enough to frost the layers and sides of the cake. When I realized I needed another batch, I put the milk and powdered sugar in a bowl without mixing, and immediately added my melted chocolate and butter. Big. Mistake. It was completely grainy and not at all smooth like the frosting on the sides. Note to self - MIX THE DAMN MILK AND POWDERED SUGAR FIRST. Ah well, I pulled out the mixer and mixed the hell out of it and it smoothed out enough to at least spread a little better, but it still wasn't as smooth and shiny as I would've liked.

Nevertheless, it tasted amazing. I think my favorite cake to make is still Big Bews McTata's Orange and Raspberry cake (made with a white cake mix, I KNOW, I KNOW), but that damn mascarpone and raspberry frosting is seriously the best thing ever.

The cake would be lovely with some of this ice cream I came across on Pinterest this weekend, made only with frozen bananas, cocoa and peanut butter. Seriously - frozen bananas, cocoa and peanut butter in the food processor? Genius.

What is also genius? Pinterest. I KNOW I'm tardy to the party with Pinterest, but now that I've found it, I. Am. OBSESSED. I cannot get enough of the damn thing. If you haven't been on it yet, take my advice - DON'T. Or do. Whatever. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Gorgeous photography, nom-nom recipes, inthipiring interiors, and duh - fashion - all wrapped up in one tiny hilarious package named Mr. Kate. Oh, and did I mention she makes jewelry too? DOPE. Get ready to spend some time on this blog, because there's a TON of it to see - IN A GOOD WAY (as opposed to the snarky comment some anonymous commenter left me a month or so ago - "Say girl - you blog too much, and not in a good way...") WhatEVS. I LIKE it when people post a lot. Call me crazy.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

I'll say it - I smell. Good. I SMELL GOOD. You've prolly noticed that I have a lil Apothica link up there on the top left, and it is because they are a gracious sponsor (btw - if anyone else wants to become a sponsor of little old me, drop me a line and we can work something out). But enough about me. Let's talk Apothica again.

They have stuff. A LOT of stuff. Like, beauty and makeup and fragrance and hurr and everything in between stuff. So I was a little overwhelmed when I first went to the site, but in a good way.

Being the perfume whooore that I am, I knew I wanted to try something new to me, so the TokyoMilk brand caught my eye right off the bat. They have all kinds of yummy scents, like Gin & Rosewater, Honey & The Moon, Paper & Cotton, and even Poe's Tobacco No. 1, but Dead Sexy is what really appealed to me. It's a little hippie, and a little heavier than I normally wear during summer, but is delish nonetheless, a blend of vanilla, exotic wood, orchid, and ebony. Sign me up for somma dat.

The next lil goodie that caught my eye was the Too Faced Naked Eye kit, a palatte of loverly nudie shades for your ocular region, and some smudgey smokey colors to sex things up a bit. Not only that, but you get three cards that give instructions on different looks: Day, Classic, and Fashion. I LOVE this kit, and could see how one could prolly get away with packing only this for one's eyeballs on a trip, if one weren't a wee bit one REALLLLLY might have a need for purple shadow, teal eyeliner and royal blue mascara. Not me, but some people might feel that way when packing. ANYHOOZLE, if ya'll haven't moseyed over to Apothica yet, and you're in need of some pampering, ch-ch-check them out. They'll leave the light on for you.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Get it? Cuz I'm standing with one leg up like a flamingo????? Come ON. Man, I feel like I have sucked lately. Like I'm phoning it in, only I don't mean to. I really love blogging, but some days/weeks/months it's like my funny bone just plum fell out or something.

Ahhh, to be back at that point in my life when all I wanted out of it was a pink '57 T-Bird convertible witih leopard print interior, license plates "FLAMNGO." True story.

Don't think I wouldn't get it if I were to ever hit the lottery. It's the first thing I would spend it on, just behind college funds times three, new home for the 'rents, winter home in Laguna, and a Chi flat iron.

What??? I just can't justify spending $100+ on hair tools at this point in my life.

Tis the reason why some days my entire ensemble is courtesy of Target or F21. And by courtesy I mean "courtesy of Shannan's wallet via Target or F21." Come ON, Target and F21 - Lord knows I have pimped you out a BEJILLION times. Can you pony up SOMETHING for the free advertising????

And while I'm asking, how about you, Christian Louboutin? I have always wanted a pair of leopard print Loubs. Hey - add those to the lottery list above.

And let's throw in Balenciaga, Burberry, and Lanvin while we're at it. Oh, who the hell are we kidding? I'm not picky. I'd take free stuff from Dickies or Carhartt if they offered.

So what would YOU do with the money if you hit it big? Share. This is a safe place.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I thought it was time to do another thankful post. It's been a while, and I have been in such a foul mood lately that I need to visually remind myself of those things that make life a little better, trivial or not. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. My new vest: Hey, I never said the things I'm thankful for are all going to be earth-shattering. Just get used to seeing this puppy around blogland, cuz it's my new favorite article of clothing. I love how hippie flowy it is, and am already planning to wear it again with the perfect black maxi that I ordered from TEAR-get this weekend. Possibly tomorrow. I'm just sayin.

2. Kristen Wiig: Girlfriend is FUNNY. If you haven't seen Bridesmaids yet, DO IT. Here's a lil clip of her for your viewing pleasure. P.S. - Kristin - if you find yourself in this blog and want another screen writing partner for your next movie - drop me a line. I will be HAPPY to get a copy of "Screen Writing For Dummies..."

3. Music: Maybe I've hit my mid-life crisis early, but I cannot get enough Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks lately. Or maybe my new vestie vest just makes me think of Stevie. Whatever it is, I am so NOSTALGIC for them. Listening to them lately is just bittersweet. Takes me back to high school. I love how music can just immediately transport you to a time in your life when a song first resonated with you.

4. Forever 21: That is one-stop shopping at its finest, peeps. I think except for my shoes and earrings, everything I'm wearing today is from F21.

5. Winterize effect in Picnik: Should actually be called "This effect makes you look WAY better than the original photo does."

6. Walking down the stairs holding on to my kiddos' wee hands. So precious. I love that they want to hold Mommy's hand. I also love that they have been calling the song Mamma Mia "Mommy Mia." Sigh. My heart....

This is Me

Imma chic freak with a Hubs, grade-school-aged triplets, and a cat named Pickles. I love fashion, shoes, design, and trashtastic reality TV. I may or may not have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy, and decided to share it all with the world. Feel free to drop me a line at merciblahblah@gmail.com with your comments. I will also accept your book, television or Lifetime Movie Of The Week offers.